Some of this is borrowed from a previous post to save typing. Sorry if it looks familiar :smile:.
The way I do it is a compilation of a couple of different methods -- primarily influenced by the excellent instruction of Steve Silverman of Firearms Research & Instruction
http://www.f-r-i.com. This is also similar to John Farnam's method.
By the numbers:
Grip: Strong hand attains firm, high firing grip on the pistol in the holster; weak hand is placed palm down on the solar plexus (or in high front-block position if necessary in a retention situation)
Rock & Lock: Pistol is tugged straight up until it just clears the holster (don't lean forward, although you'll be tempted to. It'll slow you down). The strong-side elbow rocks down and locks the strong-side wrist against the pectoral muscle. This intermediate high-tuck position allows you to shoot from retention immediately, if necessary. With practice you can get solid upper thoracic hits out to 10-12 yards -- even while moving off the line of force. The thumb safety comes off as the elbow rocks into position.
Clasp: Support hand slides across the chest to meet the strong hand. This keeps your support hand behind the muzzle at all times.
Punch: The hands, with a standard two-handed grip on the pistol, are punched straight out (and slightly up) into firing position. Again, with practice - and if you get into the habit of indexing your wrist in the same spot each time - your gun will come up on target and with the sights in alignment.
I've been working with this method for a couple of years now. With a lot of practice, I've gotten to the point where I can pick a target, close my eyes and draw, and my sights will be nearly dead on and in perfect alignment.
The reasoning behind the high-tuck retention (Position 2) is that it allows you to shoot immediately, if necessary, and keep shooting as the pistol is extended. In addition, it keeps you from overswinging and having to "settle" the sights on the target -- you
are swinging a 2-1/2lb weight on the end of a 3 foot pendulum, after all. This method is a tad slower than an IPSC draw, for example, but I think it works pretty well.
I understand the desire to skip the retention step and get the gun on target as quickly as possible. I've just found that this way makes sense and works extremely well for me.
And, yup, the "pause" at Position 2 is nearly non-existant.
I know it's there, but I doubt that anyone would ever notice it. I do exaggerate it quite a bit when practicing, though, just to check the index -- kind of like doing a kata.
Chad
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Chad Ward on 2001-07-20 14:26 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Chad Ward on 2001-07-20 14:27 ]</font>